The Braves trade deadline might define the 2024 campaign, but more than anything, the club needs their guys to get healthy.
If Alex Anthopoulos believes he’ll have Michael Harris II, Max Fried, and Ozzie Albies back by the time October, Atlanta’s GM will be aggressive at the deadline, even without Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr.
However, what isn’t being talked about enough is the potential of a trade filling a void in 2024 but also in 2025. The Braves have needs at shortstop, the outfield, and in the rotation that extend well beyond this season. If Anthopoulos finds a deal that makes sense, these are some non-rental trade candidates from Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report’s Top 25 that could interest Atlanta.
17. OF Taylor Ward, Los Angeles Angels
Contract: Arbitration-eligible through 2026
Taylor Ward posted the best season of his career in 2022, blasting 23 home runs with a 134 OPS+, but a face injury limited him to less than 100 games last season. He hasn’t quite lived up to that 2022 campaign in 2024 either. The veteran owns a 97 OPS+ but has the kind of pop that the Braves love. Ward has launched 14 home runs to go along with 17 doubles this season.
15. OF Lane Thomas, Washington Nationals
Contract: Arbitration-eligible through 2025
Jeff Passan recently reported that Lane Thomas is someone that the Braves have “long liked” ahead of the trade deadline. Though he’s struggled defensively, the Braves shouldn’t care. Thomas has played in 71 games this year and doesn’t have the most exciting slash line — .246/.314/.398 with 8 home runs — but absolutely mashes left-handed pitching.
13. IF Luis Rengifo, Los Angeles Angels
Contract: Arbitration-eligible through 2025
The Braves could use a player like Rengifo who can play multiple infield positions. The 27-year-old is slashing .314/.357/.439 with 19 extra-base hits and 22 steals in 273 plate appearances. More importantly, he’s practically split time at second and third base this season for the Angels.
7. DH Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics
Contract: Arbitration-eligible through 2027
Last season, Rooker broke through with 30 home runs and a 127 OPS+ and has been even better this year. He’ll surely be one of the hottest commodities on the market at this year’s trade deadline. Rooker owns an impressive .948 OPS thanks to his 23 home runs, despite a terrible Oakland lineup around him. The Braves should certainly not care about his less-than-stellar defense either.
4. SS Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
Contract: $17.6 million salary in 2025
The Braves have been connected to Bo Bichette, but the likelihood that a trade comes to fruition is unlikely. The two-time All-Star is slashing .223/.276/.321 for a 70 OPS+ this season and was also recently placed on the IL with a calf strain. However, a two-time All-Star at just 26-years-old, he has slashed .298/.339/.476 for a 124 OPS+ while averaging 24 home runs over the past three seasons.
2. OF Jazz Chisholm Jr., Miami Marlins
Contract: Arbitration-eligible through 2026
Jazz Chisholm feels like an Atlanta Braves kind of guy. The vibes in the clubhouse would be immaculate, but he’s not the guy who’s going to completely turn around the Braves offense. The outfielder/second baseman is hitting .251/.325/.412 for a 103 OPS+ with 13 doubles, 13 home runs, 47 RBI and 21 steals in 98 games this year.
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Photographer: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire
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